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Wii Sports Resort

I'll post the blog entry once I'm not unconscious...

[Edit: Oops. I guess I was exhausted. Sorry for the non-post. Mostly, it was going to be a tirade speculating when we'll finally get a Wii Motion Plus lightsaber dueling game. If LucasArts can just get that one game right, I can finally consider the Wii motion controls as not entirely a complete fucking failure.]

Diplomacy IV - Fall 1902

Play the home version by following these forum threads! The adjudicator is also running a side game of wagering for spectators.

The image below depict the latest states of the board. A larger version is available for viewing by clicking on it.

Austria is dead and gone, unable to pry away one of the three attackers, his empire now completely dismembered.

England is now fighting for its life. With sufficient forces, he could either stave off the French in the south or the Germans in the east. Now that two French fleets threaten in the south, can he keep enough of Britain English to avoid the fate of Austria while convincing the Germans easier gains will be made elsewhere? At this point in the game a power must be very aware of his opponents' opportunity cost, in this case, what opportunity for expansion elsewhere is being given up by Germany so the tough nut of English defense can be cracked. Make the cost appear high enough, and it is still possible to turn an enemy into an ally. In a rare spot of sun, Norway remains in English hands.

France has a lot going for it. Six secure centers, and four units arrayed in the north to squash England with. He can now penetrate the British defensive shield in the North Atlantic, the Irish Sea, or Wales. Follow-up armies await in the Low Countries. So far the front with Italy appears peaceful. France needs only assure that his German partners are happy, and he can reap rewards for the strategy he's sown. What will he build next? That will signify intentions for 1903 or 1904.

Germany is stuck in a hard place. Even with two fleets, the British are concentrating their forces for a local advantage over the Germans. Now with five units, Germany will be of a respectable size, but still surrounded by larger French, Russian, and Italian empires. I hope he's been floating offers attractive to his neighbors.

Italy is gargantuan in size compared to other Diplomacy games I've seen. The effective and rapid conquest of Austria has left Italy with lots of units and lots of choices. It appears inevitable that Italy must now either clash with Turkey or with Russia over the bordering centers in the Balkans. The Turkish fleet in the E. Med. lurks, threatening a conflict, while Italian armies stretched out to Vienna sit right on Russia's doorstep. Italy's diplomatic skills will be tested to avoid becoming the odd man out amongst the three eastern powers.

Russia has pursued a balanced strategy, neither southern nor northern. Three units control all of Scandinavia (including Norway which is apparently being held in trust for the British - in exchange for what? We must wonder.) Another three occupy the Balkan frontier with Turkey and Italy. Now that the anti-Austrian crusade is finished, the south is the sector with greater uncertainty. The Russian fleet still exists in Rumania, and is usually a sticking point between the Sultana and the Tsar. Will its disposition spark war?

Turkey is doing well, but has suffered in opportunity cost - that is - she has not done as well as her neighbors. Now that she has five units, she must make a choice: attack seven-unit Russia or seven-unit Italy? In either case, she will need a powerful ally. Expect the wires transmitting cables from Constantinople to Rome, St. Petersburg, Berlin, and Paris to warm Europe's disadvantaged urchins through this cold winter.